Activity

Bears: What and how much does a black bear eat?

Summary
Students see the foods that a black bear eats, and weigh it on a scale to compare to how much we eat.
Science content
Biology: Features, Adaptations of Living Things (K, 1, 3, 7)
Lessons activity is in
Materials
  • Scale with kg
  • Worksheet (attached)
  • Bags of food that add up to 5kg:

  • nuts (about 2kg)
  • berries aka dried fruit (1.5kg raisins and cranberries)
  • plants aka spinach (2 bunches) and alfalfa sprouts (2 boxes)
  • fish (plastic)
  • insects (plastic)
  • Skunk cabbage and berry branches if available
  • Bear skull if available
Procedure

Look at the foods that a black bear eats, and unnatural foods that they should not eat. Draw one of the foods they eat on the worksheet.
Add bear food to a scale until there is enough for one black bear “meal” (5kg), and record the amount on the worksheet. Compare with a person’s lunch (e.g. bagel and cheese)
If time, look at a bear skull to see the kinds of teeth they have.

Grades taught
Gr K
Gr 1
Gr 2